Soaring omicron cases failed to slow the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, with the prestigious Book I of the catalogue closing on Saturday night at a record $229.2 million for 778 horses sold and the median sale value soaring 27 per cent.

But the rapidly spreading coronavirus variant did mar the show, and 82-year-old co-owner Gerry Harvey tested positive to COVID-19 on Saturday morning. The billionaire retailer learned of the diagnosis via an at-home rapid antigen test taken in his Main Beach apartment before the $10.25 million Magic Millions race day began.